Despite the wet weather, or perhaps because of it, the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Memorial Day service had a respectable turnout Monday morning.

This was the second year that the James Thomas chapter of the DAR hosted the event at the Renaissance Center downtown. Chapter Regent Virginia Alexander welcomed the small crowd and the master of ceremonies, Trigg County Judge-Executive Stan Humphries, thanked the DAR for organizing the event. He asked the members to stand and the attendees applauded. He also welcomed a few guests, such as State Senator Ken Winters, Trigg County Schools Superintendent Tim McGinnis, Magistrate Doug Taylor and Cadiz City Council member Manuel Brown.

“I offer my deepest thanks to the men and women who sacrificed their lives so they that we could be free,” Humprhies said.

George Zering, David Jones and Warren Stubblefield, who are members of American Legion Post 74, posted the colors before Amanda Lawrence led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance and Carrie Utter sang the National Anthem.

Irvin Darnall gave the invocation and then Curt Holmes asked veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon, Grenada and the first Gulf War to stand for recognition. Lena Johnson recognized the Gold Star Mothers. Families that have members of the military often hang Service Flags in their windows with blue stars representing living service members. When one dies, the blue stars are changed to gold.

“Sadly, we sometimes have to replace those blue stars with gold stars,” Johnson said.

Johnson also recognized Rita Lawrence and Wanda Bruce, whose son recently returned from his second tour of duty in Iraq.

Richard Pauze paid tribute to Trigg County veterans that died since Memorial Day last year. He said that 54 had died, and read each name.